Australian artists to shine at Woodfordia

A WIDE array of up-and-coming Australian artists are set to enchant audiences at the Woodford Folk Festival this year, along with some more familiar faces.

The genre-traversing Hermitude (aka Luke Dubs and Elgusto) from the Blue Mountains, will be performing again at Woodford this year. The duo formed more than a decade ago with a shared love of beats and turntables, with their most recent album HyperParadise winning the pair awards and new fans nationwide.

Debuting this year is newcomer Emma Louise, who has had a whirlwind 12 months. She's had sold-out shows and international acclaim owed to her intoxicating voice and honest delivery, and she will be welcomed to the Woodford Folk Festival with open arms.

Festival director Bill Hauritz says that the brilliant expressions of the artists at Woodford Folk Festival remind us of our humanity.

"Our wonderful artists are the catalyst. Their need to communicate to us their beauty and ideas is welded to their souls," he said.

This couldn't be truer than with Australian favourite Angus Stone, who will also be joining the slew of world-class artists at Woodford, along with his sister Julia. But not as you'd expect; the pair are set to charm crowds with their solo work in separate shows, rather than as the usual duo.

Other favourite Aussie talent Kate Miller Heidke will also be bringing joy to festivillians this year with her mesmerising vocal gymnastics. Joining her is John Butler Trio, one of the Woodford Folk Festivals repeat favourite live outfits.

Joining the newcomers is Sticky Fingers, who although performed at Woodford last year, have only just begun to grab the rest of Australia's attention. Their collection of psychotic, surfdub love songs are turning heads, particularly track Caress Your Soul.

Tim Hart, who is best known as the man behind the drum kit in Boy and Bear, is set to bring his solo work to Woodfordia, with mellow, soulful and melodic folk music.

The Woodford Folk Festival is held from the 27th of December to the 1st of January.